Chances are you know someone who needs healing or recovery—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Perhaps you may even need to heal or recover from something, yourself.
Having recently experienced the unexpected death of my mother, I realized post-traumatic stress hits us in a number of ways and can leave us requiring God’s healing hand in areas we didn’t think were sick or broken.
We are told in Isaiah 53:4-5 that Jesus has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed. That verse, which is a Messianic prophecy, was written in past tense, signifying that our healing, in Christ Jesus, has already happened. That tells me if you know Jesus, and are trusting in Him for your salvation, that healing is already available to you for the asking.
Here are seven short prayers, based on Scripture, for someone’s healing and recovery.
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1. A Prayer for Physical Healing and Restoration
Lord, we know that sickness was never Your plan for our lives. Yet, inherited sin (Romans 3:23) and this cursed world now produces every kind of disease, distress, and decline. Yet You, Lord, are still the Great Physician, the Gentle Healer, the One who has come to heal and carry away our diseases, both physically and spiritually. We ask, in the name of Jesus, that You touch us with Your healing hand and restore our health for Your glory. Give strength to our bones and renewed life to our physical bodies so we can serve You with all that we have and all that we are. We ask for this in the name, and according to the will, of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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2. A Prayer for Emotional Healing
Lord, Your Word says You heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). Scripture also says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Sometimes pain of the heart—rejection, abandonment, betrayal, and longing for love that was never returned—can be the most difficult wounds to heal. But You, Lord, are intimately acquainted with all our ways (Psalm 139:3)—including ways we’ve been deeply wounded emotionally. Apply Your healing salve to our hearts, Lord Jesus. In the healing and purifying name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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3. A Prayer for Healing and Recovery from the Loss of a Loved One
Lord Jesus, You knew the hurt we would experience through the pain and separation of death, and therefore You found a way for us to never be separated from You. Comfort us with the truth of Your resurrection and its evidence to us that You’ve conquered the grave and you will raise us up again, too, as well as those who have put their trust in You. Your Word says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones" (Psalm 116:15). It is precious to You, as it is our loved ones’ homegoing, but it still bears a sting to those of us who are left on this earth, left to miss our loved ones, and to try to forget the pain they suffered, and to move forward without them.
Lord, touch our grieving hearts, give us hope where there is none, give us comfort where there is still pain, give us peace where there are still anxious thoughts, and help us to rest in You as our loved one is resting in You as well. Thank You that You are good, that Your timing is perfect, that Your ways are unsearchable and yet infallible. And help me to focus on your goodness and love in spite of the pain and heartache that this sin-diseased world has produced. May You replace our longing for our loved ones with a longing for heaven so that we can be convinced that hope and healing is found only in trusting You. In the name of Jesus, who conquers death and brings restoration to all things, amen.
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4. A Prayer for Healing from Hurt and Betrayal
Lord and Savior, soothe the wounds in our hearts that have developed over the course of our lives because of our exposure to imperfect, hurtful, and distorted love. Take the salve of Your pure and perfect love and pour it over the rough edges of our hearts and treat the wounds that still lie open from brokenness, betrayal, and damage from other humans. Forgive us for seeking satisfaction from anyone or anything other than You. Take Your rightful place on the throne of our hearts and keep that throne for Yourself alone. Help us to guard our hearts—and if we ever let anyone else begin to fill the space You have occupied, gently remind us that You are the Only One who satisfies, and You will be second to none.
Our hearts are Yours, Lord Jesus. Thank You for loving us like no one on earth has been able to. Thank You that Your love and affection for us is beyond comparison. And thank You that because of Your death and resurrection, our hearts are now spoken for. Keep our hearts for Yourself, loving Savior. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
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5. A Prayer for Identity Healing and Renewal of the Heart
Precious Savior, sometimes I forget the lengths You went to so You could secure a new identity for me—one that is like You. Forgive me for the times I slip back into the patterns of my past and think of myself as someone I used to be, or someone who can survive just fine without You. Because of Your redeeming love, I am no longer that person. You have inscribed me on the palms of Your hands (Isaiah 49:16), and I know You will never forget what You have done for me. Help me to inscribe on my heart and mind what You have done for me so I will never forget that I am a “new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I praise You for Your redeeming love and the newness of life that only You can provide. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
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6. A Prayer for Overcoming Addiction
Lord God, Your Word says we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loves us (Romans 8:37), and that You will guide us in the way we should go. Psalm 34:3 says, “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.” Guide me, Lord, to the recovery program You have for me and the resources available to me so I can do the hard work of leaving the substances of this world behind and hungering and thirsting after You alone. Bring unconditional love, grace, and accountability into my life, through someone who loves me enough to walk this road with me. Help me to set my face like flint and walk this road of recovery, knowing You are with me.
I surrender my perceived control over my life, my destiny, my daily circumstances, and the reactions and responses of others, and I yield to Your ultimate control of all things, including what You deem best for my life. Give me the strength to share my desire for recovery with others and the humility and determination to stay the course in recovery, knowing You are going before me, walking alongside me, and guarding my back. In the Name of Jesus, who can help me overcome all things, amen.
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7. A Prayer for Spiritual Restoration and Wholeness
Lord, as David prayed in Psalm 51, “Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings. Wash me thoroughly from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my wrongdoings, and my sin is constantly before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge” (verses 1-4 NASB). “Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don’t look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health” (verses 7-9 MSG).
“Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit” (verses 10-12 NASB). In the cleaning, redeeming, restoring name of Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.
For more healing prayers and an in-depth look at the 10 Steps toward Healing and Wholeness, see Cindi’s book, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts.
Related Resource: A Prayer for Healing Words
There is one thing in our lives that holds great power that can be easily used for both great good and great evil. I have seen it bring people together and tear others apart. I have used it for both wonderful and terrible purposes. It is something none of us can escape. I'm talking about the power of the tongue. Words can harm, but words can also heal. The tongue has great power, and under the control of the Holy Spirit, this power can change lives in the best way, all for the glory of God. Do you struggle with using your words to heal? Listen to today's episode of Everyday Prayers from Erin Mohring on Proverbs 12:18, and pray this prayer with us today:
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Originally published Wednesday, 17 July 2024.
